Using U.S. shares of exportable supplies versus U.S. shares of actual exports, an index of export competitiveness for U.S. cotton is derived and reported for the 26 marketing years of 1963-64 through 1988-89. It reveals a historical tendency for the U.S. to be a residual supplier in the world market, and official USDA expectations indicate a significant loss of competitiveness for the 1988-89 marketing year.